Forum discusses an innovative future for Essex

CSES facilitates event on challenges and opportunities of ageing population

The first in a series of discussions on how to address some of the challenges facing an ageing population within Essex, supported by Chelmsford Science and Engineering Society, has taken place.

Led by the Essex Partnership Board in conjunction with Anglia Ruskin and Chelmsford Science and Engineering Society, the event on 6 December 2016 welcomed public service commissioners, academics, businesspeople, experts and partners to discuss innovative new ideas around Essex's ageing population.

The level of interest, enthusiasm and engagement from all parties (especially the student audience) was overwhelming and we now have a vast wealth of comments, questions and issues to pore over!

In the coming months we will discuss the big issues that face us as we move towards a smarter Essex. In the meantime, we'd like to answer some of the more specific questions submitted during the presentations:

Research undertaken by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) – one of our sponsors – has found that, despite considerable investment by the UK government, local authorities and businesses, there is a basic lack of awareness among the British public about what a smart city is, does, and its potential to improve citizens' quality of life.

My Smarter Essex, which took place on 6 October 2016 at Anglia Ruskin University, included a number of real-time, interactive polls that gathered the audience's opinions on some of the issues raised during the presentations. This was in addition to the free-form questions and comments submitted by those who attended.

We can confirm that 125 people took part in the polls, and their responses – along with our commentary – is now available.